Islamic Religious Council of Singapore

Friday Sermon

12 January 2024 / 30 Jamadil Akhir 1445H

 

 

The Beauty of Islamic Rulings (“Shari’ah”)

My blessed Friday congregants,

Let us continue in our efforts to elevate our taqwa towards Allah (s.w.t.), by obeying all His commands, and by abstaining from all His prohibitions. May Allah accept all our good deed. Amin.

My beloved brothers and sisters in Islam,

Allah (s.w.t.) has bestowed numerous blessings upon humankind. Among these is our ability to differentiate between what is good and what is bad. We have also been granted common sense, a gift that should be nurtured and enhanced by seeking beneficial knowledge. Let us reflect upon the words of Allah (s.w.t.) in surah al-Ma'idah, verse 100:

Which means: “Say, O Prophet, ‘Good and evil are not equal, though you may be pleased by the abundance of evil. So be mindful of Allah, O people of reason, so you may be successful’.”

The human ability to distinguish between good and bad is an extremely valuable gift. Imam Al-Jurjani, in his book At-ta‘rifat, explained that Islam is a divine system that calls upon rational people to accept the message brought by our Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.).

As people of faith and reason, it is our responsibility to align our thoughts and lifestyles with the Islamic rulings, also known as Shari’ah. We can distinguish between righteous and false practices by equipping ourselves with authentic knowledge and strengthening our faith.

Brothers and sisters,

Faith and deeds are akin to a beating heart and a functioning body – they cannot be separated. The Shar‘iah thus serves as a guidance and a manual to navigate our lives in this world.

Embedded within the Shar‘iah are values ​​that enhance the beauty of Islamic teachings. Allow me to share some noble values that can be found in the Shar‘iah: 

 

First: The value of ease for humankind

The Shar‘iah was revealed to provide ease for humankind. In fact, the Shar‘iah was revealed to us, the followers of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), gradually (“tadarruj”).

Islam also blesses us with the confidence that there is a way around every difficulty. For instance, those facing physical challenges in standing during prayer are permitted to sit while praying. This solution helps His servants carry out their religious responsibilities as best they can, without forcing or burdening them. Such is the beauty of the Shar‘iah; that it takes into account human abilities. Remember the message of the Prophet (s.a.w.):

إِنَّ الدِّيْنَ يُسْرٌ وَلَنْ يُشَادَّ الدِّيْنَ إِلاَّ غَلَبَهُ

Which means: "Indeed, the religion (Islam) is easy. No one overburdens himself with the religion except that he will be overwhelmed by it." (Hadith narrated by Imam Bukhari).

Islam is simple. Let us not be the reason others shy away from Islam because we choose to complicate it. Much worse, complications occur due to our lack of religious knowledge. However, the simplicity in practicing our religion does not mean that we can downplay this religion, to the extent that we take lightly and disregard the methodology formulated and accepted by scholars. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the principles of Islamic law through profound and credible knowledge.

Second: The value of justice in the Shari‘ah

My beloved brothers and sisters,

The Shari‘ah strongly emphasises fairness and justice in our dealings with other people. No form of oppression nor cruelty can be inflicted upon anyone for any reason, what more when implementing our religious rulings. However, there are some within our society who, for example, misuse and exploit Inheritance law (fara’id) to advance their own interests. Similarly, there are also those who neglect the welfare of certain heirs in need, disregarding their rights as per Inheritance law (fara’id).

The act of using religious ruling for personal gain is a form of oppression. It completely contradicts the value of justice emphasised in Islam.

Third: The value of comprehensiveness (all-encompassing) in the Shari‘ah

The Shari‘ah is holistic, or syumul. The Shari’ah is so comprehensive, it addresses beliefs, ethics, laws, and all aspects of daily life. We can witness the beauty of the Shar‘iah through the lenses of Hajj and Zakat. Both are forms of worship that encompass spiritual, social, economic, and humanitarian aspects. By fulfilling the religious obligations of Hajj and Zakat, a Muslim not only seeks Allah's mercy and forgiveness in their worship, but also has the opportunity to foster unity and brotherhood among humanity. Together, he also contributes to the enhancement of the community’s socio-economic wellbeing, and the religious life of the community.

May Allah (s.w.t.) guide us in understanding our religion and grant us success in this world and in the Hereafter. Amin Ya Rabbal 'Alamin.

أَقُوْلُ قَوْلِي هَذَا وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ العَظِيْمَ لِي وَلَكُمْ، فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الغَفُوْرُ الرَّحِيْم

 

 

SECOND SERMON

 

الحَمْدُ للهِ حَمْدًا كَثِيرًا كَمَا أَمَرَ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَن لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ سَيِّدَنَا مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ. اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَأَصْحَابِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ. أَمَّا بَعْدُ، فَيَا عِبَادَ الله، اِتَّقُوا اللهَ تَعَالَى فِيمَا أَمَرَ، وَانتَهُوا عَمَّا نَهَاكُم عَنْهُ وَزَجَرَ. 

 

أَلَا صَلُّوا وَسَلِّمُوا عَلَى النَّبِيِّ الْمُصْطَفَى، فَقَدْ أَمَرَنَا اللهُ بِذَلِكَ حَيْثُ قَال فِي كِتَابِهِ العَزِيزِ: إِنَّ اللهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ يَـا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسلِيمًا. اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ وَبَارِكْ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ. 

 

وَارْضَ اللَّهُمَّ عَنِ الخُلَفَاءِ الرَّاشِدِينَ المَهْدِيِّينَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرَ وَعُثْمَانَ وَعَلِيِّ، وَعَن بَقِيَّةِ الصَّحَابَةِ وَالقَرَابَةِ وَالتَّابِعِينَ، وَتَابِعِي التَّابِعِينَ، وَعَنَّا مَعَهُم وَفِيهِم بِرَحْمَتِكَ يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ. 

 

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِلمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالمُؤْمِنَاتِ، وَالمُسْلِمِينَ وَالمُسْلِمَاتِ، الأَحْيَاءِ مِنهُم وَالأَمْوَاتِ. اللَّهُمَّ ادْفَعْ عَنَّا البَلَاءَ وَالوَبَاءَ وَالزَّلَازِلَ وَالمِحَنَ، مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ، عَن بَلَدِنَا خَاصَّةً، وَسَائِرِ البُلْدَانِ عَامَّةً، يَا رَبَّ العَالَمِينَ. اَللَّهُمَّ انْصُرْ إِخْوَانَنَا اْلمُسْتَضْعَفِيْنَ فِي غَزَّة وَفِي فِلِسْطِينَ وَفِيْ كُلِّ مَكَانٍ عَامَّةً، يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِين. اللَّهُمَّ بَدِّلْ خَوْفَهُمْ أَمْنًا، وَحُزْنَهُمْ فَرَحًا، وَهَمَّهُمْ فَرَجًا، يَا رَبَّ العَالَمِينَ. رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنيَا حَسَنَةً، وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً، وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ.  

 

عِبَادَ اللهِ، إِنَّ اللهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالعَدْلِ وَالإِحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي القُرْبَى، وَيَنْهَى عَنِ الفَحْشَاءِ وَالمُنكَرِ وَالبَغْيِ، يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ، فَاذكُرُوا اللهَ العَظِيمَ يَذْكُركُمْ، وَاشْكُرُوهُ عَلَى نِعَمِهِ يَزِدكُمْ، وَاسْأَلُوهُ مِن فَضلِهِ يُعطِكُم، وَلَذِكرُ اللهِ أَكبَرُ، وَاللهُ يَعلَمُ مَا تَصنَعُونَ.